Improvement in machines for bending wires for fence-pickets



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. LEWIS, OF PITTSURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPRVEMENT IN NFIA-CHINES FOR BENDING WIRES FOR FENCE-PICKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No- 155,657, dated October 6, 1874 application filed f April 17, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:y

Beit known that I, WILLIAM J. LEWIS, of Pittsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machine for Bending Metal; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact 'description thereof, reference. being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specication, in which-' Figure l is an isometrical4 perspective of the apparatus embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of that portion of the machine which contains my improvements, the jaws being closed upon the former. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same with the jaws extended; and Fig. 4 is an isometrical perspective ofthe fulcrum-armv. j

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures.

My invention relates to machines employed for bending metal, and is more 'especially adapted to the bending of rods or bars in the production of fence-pickets 'of various configurations. It consists, first, in a set of clamping-jaws, having their fulcrums upon the bed of the machine, and attached to the former so as to be operated therefrom, whereby the movement of the former causes the jaws toalternately open and close about the former, so that bars or similar articles may be bent into irregular forms; and, secondly, in adjustable fulcrum-arms combined with a set of bendingjaws pivoted to a movableformer', whereby the bite of the jaws upon the former is regulated.

A represents the bed of this machine, having journals for the shaft B, said shaft being i provided with the usual cog-wheels for gearing with the power-shaft. It is also provided with cams b, (shown in dotted lines,) for operating thecross-head C. These devices are of the ordinary construction, and neednot be specifically described. j i

I will now proceed to describe the devices embodying my invention, of which D represents a former, movable in the guides D', se-

' cured to the bed A. This former D is attached to the cross-head by the bolt C', or in any other suitable manner, and receives its motion vfrom 4, although another form may be adopted, provided such form permits of being pivoted to the guides-or bed, and moved so as to adjust the fulcrum against which the jaw E works. In the present instance this fnlcrum-arm is pivoted at its middle to the 'guide D', and is provided with a fulcruin-pin, f, at 011e end, projecting downward into the slot e of jaw E, the other end of the arm having an elliptical slot,

through which passes aset-screw, so as to` change the position of the fulcrum-pin. G indicates the screw forming the pivot for the arm F, and G the set-screw controlling the position of the fulcrum.

rlhe operation of these devices is as follows: The forward movement of the cross-head carries with it the movable former, which causes the inclined slot e upon the outer portion of the jaw to move down the fulcrum for a short distance until the point d of pivoting of the jaw E to the former comes in line with the ful- ,crums. rlhe point of pivoting continues to move, so as to change its relative relation to the fulcrums, changing the line of direction of the force, and causing the jaws to expand or open. While in this position the bar or other article to be bent is placed across the former in'a line parallel with the open jaws,- and atA right angles to the former. The backward movement of the former causes the incline upon the upper surface of the jaws to move up upon the fulcrum-pins, bringing the jaws together, forcing the bar around the former, 'and giving it the shape required. When it is desired to change the bite of the jaw upon the former, set-screw g is loosened, and the fnlcrum-arm moved so as to bring the fulcrum nearer to or carry it farther from the pivot of the jaws, accordingly as greater or less bite of the jaws is required. lf the fulcrum-point is correspond to produce the shaped article deA sired, but need not necessarily be of the form f shown in the drawing, as it is evident various forms may be employed, the form being no part of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of the movable jaws re1- atively to the bed and former hereinbefore described, each jaw having its fulcrum on the bed of the machine, While it is also connected with the former .so as to be moved thereby, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The adjustable fulcrum-arms, combined with a set of bending-jaws pivoted to the movable former, substantially as and for the puri pose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said WILLIAM J. LEWIS, have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM J. LEWIS. Witnesses T. B. KEER, F. W. RITTER, Jr. 

